2001 Cabrio coolant reply

Hi Keemo68,

Out f desperation I went to the local Wally store and read up the suggestion...Prestone has a blend that is supposed to be good for "all European cars" with red coolant...I pray it works, 'cause it's half full with it now...

Most of your newer vehicles all use the red coolant because it doesn't break down the coolant system, by that i mean it is easier on the radiator doesn't leave scale and tends to do a better job as far as heat disapation. do me a favor and rate the solution. Thanks and good luck.

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German cars seem to have a lot of propriatary things. They most likely run a software that's not compatible with the comps at the local shops. you'll have to take to a dealership and overpay I'm afraid.

Stick with the recomended glycol blend listed in your manual. There should also be a diagram for the drain plug location for the coolant. When you refill....make sure to bleed off any air that might interfere with your heating coil.

It's OK to use Prestone 50/50 Prediluted Antifreeze/coolant. But, it needs to be DEX COOL. There is a reason for it. The seals and the water pump in the cooling system are made to run with the DEX COOL. Anything like a non-compatible coolant will cause problems down the road. I wouldn't risk it. They do make 50/50 DEX COOL.

I had this problem last year. My husband went to the local automotive store and bought their recommended thermostat. The problem with that is it wasn't exactly the correct one. My 2001 cavalier takes a thermostat that has a special seal. The one that my husband installed did not have the seal and was leaking around the thermostat. I went to the dealership with my problem and they installed one of the GM thermostats and I have had plenty of heat and no problems since.